J.D. Martinez day-to-day after being struck by pitch in D-backs debut

By Arizona Sports | July 19, 2017 at 5:39 pmUPDATED: July 19, 2017 at 8:33 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder J.D. Martinez stands in the dugout in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ new right fielder J.D. Martinez was struck by a pitch on his left hand Wednesday in his D-backs debut against the Cincinnati Reds and left the game.

Martinez was then checked on by trainers before going back to the dugout, as it was ruled by the umpire that he struck out on the play.

Daniel Descalso would replace him in the outfield in the bottom of the fourth inning.

“I made the decision based on what I saw,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said after the game.

“I saw a couple of things that told me it was probably best to take him out of the game.”

Lovullo said he already saw a bruise that was forming.

Martinez also struck out in his first at-bat.

Prior to the game, Martinez was still getting used to his new situation.

“Right now it’s kind of still foreign to me,” Martinez said of being in a D-backs uniform.

He spoke of his past playoff experience and his eagerness to get back.

“It’s what you play for,” Martinez said. “I don’t even know how to express it. It’s just one of things where you get a taste of it, you know what it is and you want more of it. This is a chance to do it and I’m in on it.”

Arizona acquired the former Detroit Tigers outfielder Tuesday for three prospects. He entered the game hitting .305 with 16 home runs and 39 RBI. With Martinez, the team was looking to fill a void left in the outfield by Yasmany Tomas, who has been out for an extended period of time with a groin injury.